Mint Juleps–an umbrella term for any cocktail containing a spirit (typically whiskey, although rum or brandy can be used), sugar, mint, and crushed ice–are among the few quintessentially American cocktails. While the exact origins of the Mint Julep are lost to history, the julep was first touted as a daily medicinal elixir as far back as the 9th century. The Mint Julep recipe initially appeared in colonial-era Virginia, where it was commonly prescribed for medicinal purposes including stomach ailments.

Juleps and smashes are fairly comparable, although not all juleps are a smash, every smash is a julep. Think of a smash as a less structured julep. A long-time favorite of cocktail enthusiasts, smashes build on everything from whiskey to champagne to tequila, and diverge further from Juleps by adding citrus, berries, or other herbs to the recipe. A cousin of the Mint Julep, and equally as popular, its Cuban counterpart, the Mojito. 

Though the Mint Julep is believed to have been served at the Kentucky Derby since the first race in 1875, it didn’t hit its stride until it became the official Derby cocktail in 1938. This marriage of locally produced bourbon with the traditionally served Mint Julep was a match made in mixology and race spectator heaven. With the high-stakes excitement of America’s premier horse race and the heat of a warm Kentucky spring day, a star was born.

The Mint Julep became a smash hit at the Derby during the waning days of Prohibition. Derby-goers were ready to party, and event promoters made the most of the cocktail’s nostalgic popularity. To give the Mint Julep added appeal, bartenders at the Derby began serving it in souvenir metal julep cups, typically being silver or pewter. The souvenir cups have flair and purpose: they were styled to look like miniature Derby trophies and the metal helped to preserve the frost from the crushed ice.

While Mint Juleps are always a delight, it just wouldn’t be a day at the Kentucky Derby without a frosty cocktail in hand. Over 120,000 Mint Juleps are served during the weekend of the Kentucky Oaks and the Kentucky Derby, and each one is made and served in a commemorative glass with previous winners engraved onto the sides.

The Mint Julep is a beginner friendly cocktail to make, but it’s a good idea to first master the traditional recipe and then create your own variations in line with personal taste. The classic Mint Julep requires good bourbon and spearmint, a Southern staple that can be a bit harder to find than regular mint.

To make a Mint Julep, gently muddle three, or up to six, spearmint leaves in a metal cup or rocks glass. Add a  ¼ oz of simple syrup and 2 oz of bourbon and fill halfway with crushed ice. Stir to chill the ingredients and continue to gradually add more ice while stirring until it reaches the top of the glass. Stir the Mint Julep until a light frost forms on the outside of the metal cup, then shape more crushed ice over the top of the glass to create a small dome. Garnish with sprigs of fresh spearmint, and prepare to place your bets on the race.